Thief River Falls - Marcella Hoffman, 75, died Friday, September 18, 1998 at her daughter's home in Thief River Falls.
Funeral services were held on Monday, September 21 at 2 p.m. at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Thief River Falls with Father Tim Bushy officiating. Casketbearers will be Art Cloutier, John Guptill, LeRoy Otto and Gail Steinhauer. Burial was in St. Bernard's Catholic Cemetery. The Green Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Marcella Adeline Lowe was born on May 10, 1923 in McMinnville, OR, the daughter of Harry and Sophie (Torkelson) Lowe. The family moved to Minnesota when she was about six years old. After Marcella's father died in a car accident in 1932 and her mother died in 1935, she went to live with her aunt Pauline in Minot, ND at the age of nine. She grew up and attended school there.
At the age of 15, she traveled by train from Minot to Thief River Falls seeking employment. She stayed with her grandparents, Ole and Mathea Torkelson, and began her first job with Dr. and Mrs. Halbert. She then worked at the Soo Cafe and later at the Hartz Bakery where she was employed for about five years.
Marcella was united in marriage to George Norman Hoffman in 1947 in Newfolden by Reverend Thorvald Myhrer. In 1950 the family moved to California. After George died in a house fire on August 19, 1953, Marcella and her children moved back to Thief River Falls.
In 1957 Marcella was united in marriage to John Hoffman in Excel township where the couple lived and farmed dairy cattle, sheep, chickens and grain crops. Due to ill health, Marcella moved to the home of her daughter Paulette in Thief River Falls in 1996.
She enjoyed needlework, embroidery, quilting, gardening, reading and playing cards. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.
Marcella is survived by two daughters, Paulette (David) Odette of Thief River Falls and Judy (Tim) Otto of Roseau; three sons, Dennis of Janesville, WI, Richard of Minneapolis and Jerry of Thief River Falls; seven grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and special friend, Muriel Steinhauer.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.